House of Commons Hansard #46 of the 37th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was pornography.

Topics

Points of OrderOral Question Period

3:15 p.m.

Progressive Conservative

Loyola Hearn Progressive Conservative St. John's West, NL

Mr. Speaker, this is a very convenient excuse for the government to avoid laying on the table the list of loans and grants given to the different groups and agencies, particularly individuals, throughout the country.

The government uses two words, “transparency and accountability”. Here is a tremendous opportunity for the government to be both accountable and transparent.

As I believe the Alliance House leader just mentioned, when election time comes all the Liberal members will be touting in their brochures the money that they spent in their ridings.

In this age of computers, surely it is not that difficult to accumulate the amount of money spent. Undoubtedly, within some reasonable time, and I agree with the Alliance House leader, the request can be answered. If there are some peculiarities because of timeframe or district changes we can all appreciate that but it would be great for people to know what was given and why it was given. Let us make it accountable and transparent and then everybody can make a judgment.

Points of OrderOral Question Period

3:20 p.m.

Canadian Alliance

John Reynolds Canadian Alliance West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast, BC

Mr. Speaker, I have one more item to add, in looking at my rule book. According to the new rules, it is the committee's job to determine why the question has not been answered.

Unless it is a matter of privilege, I would suggest that we let the committee do its job, hear witnesses and to get to the bottom of why the government is trying to make a cover-up here.

Points of OrderOral Question Period

3:20 p.m.

The Speaker

The Chair appreciates the very helpful interventions of the House leader for the official opposition and the hon. member for St. John's West to the question of privilege raised by the government House leader. He has raised it this way and of course the Chair will examine it and come back to the House with a decision on the matter. The House will hear further from me on this point when I have had an opportunity to review all the submissions and the questions that the government House leader raised as the basis of his complaint.

Library of ParliamentRoutine Proceedings

3:20 p.m.

The Speaker

I have the honour to lay upon the table the performance report of the Library of Parliament for 2001-2002.

Federal Electoral Boundaries CommissionRoutine Proceedings

3:20 p.m.

The Speaker

As is my duty, pursuant to section 21 of the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act, I lay upon the table a certified copy of the report of the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Prince Edward Island.

This report is deemed permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs.

Committees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings

3:20 p.m.

Liberal

Charles Caccia Liberal Davenport, ON

Mr. Speaker, the Standing Committee on the Environment and Sustainable Development has considered and held hearings on Bill C-9, an act to amend the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, as well as its predecessor, and agreed on December 11 just before the Christmas recess to report the bill with 76 amendments.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the officials and their colleagues of the committee for their cooperation.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:20 p.m.

Canadian Alliance

John Reynolds Canadian Alliance West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast, BC

Mr. Speaker, I wish to introduce a petition I have received from approximately 60 constituents calling on Parliament to support stem cell research to find cures and therapies necessary to treat illnesses and diseases of suffering Canadians.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:20 p.m.

Liberal

John Godfrey Liberal Don Valley West, ON

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present a petition signed by over 1,000 people in the Edmonton area calling on Canada to acknowledge its part in making the world fit for children, according to the UN special assembly meeting, by creating a national child care strategy. I submit this with great pleasure.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:20 p.m.

Progressive Conservative

Norman E. Doyle Progressive Conservative St. John's East, NL

Mr. Speaker, I have a petition from about 100 people in the St. John's area who make the point that non-embryonic stem cells, also known as adult stem cells, have shown significant research progress without the immune rejection or ethical problems associated with embryonic stem cells.

The petitioners call upon Parliament to focus legislative support on stem cell research to find the cures and therapies necessary to treat illnesses and diseases of suffering Canadians.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:20 p.m.

Canadian Alliance

Darrel Stinson Canadian Alliance Okanagan—Shuswap, BC

Mr. Speaker, I have two petitions from the citizens of Okanagan—Shuswap. Both petitions call upon Parliament to protect the rights of Canadians to be free to share their religious beliefs without fear of prosecution.

My constituents feel that the current provisions of the Criminal Code of Canada can be effective in preventing true threats against individuals or groups without changes to sections 318 and 319 of the code.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:25 p.m.

Liberal

Derek Lee Liberal Scarborough—Rouge River, ON

Mr. Speaker, I have two petitions.

The first petition contains 634 signatures from individuals in the Toronto area who bring to the attention of the House their concern over instances of child pornography, including pedophilia and sado-masochistic activities involving children. They call upon the government to ensure that such exploitation of children is dealt with firmly and swiftly.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:25 p.m.

Liberal

Derek Lee Liberal Scarborough—Rouge River, ON

Mr. Speaker, the second petition contains 39 signatures from Canadians in the Toronto area who want to bring to the attention of the House and the government instances of persecution of minorities and violence perpetrated against minorities, particularly Hindu minorities, in the country of Bangladesh.

The petitioners call upon the Government of Canada to work with the government of Bangladesh to ensure that Bangladesh upholds its obligations under the international conventions.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:25 p.m.

Canadian Alliance

Carol Skelton Canadian Alliance Saskatoon—Rosetown—Biggar, SK

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to present a petition on behalf of residents of Saskatoon and district.

The petitioners want to bring to the attention of the House of Commons that the Canadian Blood Services service centre in Saskatoon had some closures last year. The petition states that the CBS director of operations has now announced the closure of all operations at CBS Saskatoon except for collections, transportation and donor services for central and northern Saskatchewan, which will be directed out of Regina.

Therefore the petitioners call upon Parliament to undertake a complete and independent study of Canadian Blood Services across Canada and the integrity of its management.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:25 p.m.

Progressive Conservative

Rex Barnes Progressive Conservative Gander—Grand Falls, NL

Mr. Speaker, I have two petitions. The first one is on child pornography.

The petitioners call upon Parliament to protect our children by taking all necessary steps to ensure that all materials which promote or glorify any such activities involving children are totally outlawed.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:25 p.m.

Progressive Conservative

Rex Barnes Progressive Conservative Gander—Grand Falls, NL

Mr. Speaker, the second petition concerns stem cell research.

The petitioners call upon Parliament to focus its legislative support on adult stem cell research to find the cures and therapies necessary to treat the illnesses and diseases of suffering Canadians.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:25 p.m.

Liberal

Nancy Karetak-Lindell Liberal Nunavut, NU

Mr. Speaker, I have a petition from the residents of Arviat, Nunavut who are opposed to the war against Iraq and who ask the government to stand for peace and unity.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:25 p.m.

Liberal

Charles Caccia Liberal Davenport, ON

Mr. Speaker, I have a petition from Canadians in various regions of the country who are asking Parliament to repeal section 13(5) of the Canada Post Corporation Act. They would like to see rural route mail couriers be allowed to bargain collectively to improve their wages and working conditions like other workers.

Questions on the Order PaperRoutine Proceedings

3:25 p.m.

Halifax West Nova Scotia

Liberal

Geoff Regan LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

Mr. Speaker, the following questions will be answered today: Nos. 41 to 44 inclusive, Nos. 49 to 57 inclusive, Nos. 73, 75, 76, 78 to 80 inclusive, Nos. 84, 87 to 89 inclusive, Nos. 92, 95 and 99.

Question No. 41Routine Proceedings

3:25 p.m.

Canadian Alliance

Jason Kenney Canadian Alliance Calgary Southeast, AB

With regard to the total sales of cigarettes and tobacco in Nova Scotia, can the government indicate the results of a study conducted by the federal government and Nova Scotia government in 2000?

Question No. 41Routine Proceedings

3:25 p.m.

Halifax West Nova Scotia

Liberal

Geoff Regan LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

I am informed as follows:

FINANCE CANADA

The Department of Finance is not aware of any study related to the sale of tobacco products conducted by the federal government and the Nova Scotia government in 2000. We are therefore unable to provide a response.

HEALTH CANADA

The Government of Canada and the province of Nova Scotia did not undertake any study; however, available data from other sources indicates that total sale of tobacco in Nova Scotia for 2000 were 1,445,817,550 cigarettes. Health Canada does not have sales data in terms of dollars for 2000.

STATISTICS CANADA

Statistics Canada is not aware of a specific study conducted by the federal government and Nova Scotia government in 2000 with regard to the total sales of cigarettes and tobacco in Nova Scotia. However, Statistics Canada does publish estimates of personal expenditure on tobacco products for Nova Scotia as part of its provincial economic accounts program. The estimates (including all taxes) from 1998 forward are as follows:

1998: $346.8 million

1999: $344.5 million

2000: $348.6 million

2001: $375.1 million

Question No. 42Routine Proceedings

3:25 p.m.

NDP

Libby Davies NDP Vancouver East, BC

With regard to the allocation of funds for immigrant integration services: ( a ) how is funding for these services determined; ( b ) why has funding remained static; ( c ) how much increased revenue has the government received from landing fees because of an increase in admission of immigrants; and ( d ) if funding is not based on a per landing status basis, why isn't it?

Question No. 42Routine Proceedings

3:25 p.m.

Bourassa Québec

Liberal

Denis Coderre LiberalMinister of Citizenship and Immigration

With regard to the allocation of funds for immigrant integration services:

(a) The annual amount for settlement services outside of Quebec is set at $173.3 million to be confirmed each year by Parliament. A grant to the province of Quebec is determined as per the Canada-Quebec Accord. Since 2000-01, the national settlement allocation model is used to provide for the annual allocation of funding for settlement programs to each CIC region and the provinces of British Columbia and Manitoba (both British Columbia and Manitoba assumed responsibility for settlement services under federal-provincial agreements). In developing the model, CIC consulted with the provinces and territories and it was agreed that the model should be transparent, fair, relatively simple, and responsive to shifts in immigrant flows. It also should respond to unique pressures in a region and provide stable infrastructure funding in smaller regions.

(b) Settlement funding for language training, immigrant settlement and adaptation and host programs outside Quebec has remained constant since 1996-97. The amount allocated in 1996-97 was to respond to the basic settlement needs of immigrants. With changing source countries, the need for higher language skills and increasing immigrant intake, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) recognizes that fixed funding must be reviewed. The federal government’s innovation strategy announced this year looks at some of the challenges facing immigrant integration and proposes some targets for discussion.

(c) Permanent resident applicants have the option (as of 1997) of paying the right of permanent residence fee (RPRF), formerly right of landing fee (ROLF), either at the time of application for permanent residence, or they can wait until the immigrant visa is being issued overseas, or they are acquiring permanent resident status in Canada. Therefore, the level of right of permanent residence fee revenue is not necessarily linked to the intake of immigrants in any particular year. The level of revenue received by the government from these fees for the past six years was:

1996-97: $167.3M

1997-98: $119.7M *

1998-99: $117.7M *

1999-00: $144.8M

2000-01: $166.9M

2001-02: $170.2M

  • Note: Lower revenue due to a change in the point of collection of the fee introduced in 1997. Applicants can pay the RPRF either at the time of application for permanent residence, or they can wait until the immigrant visa is being issued overseas, or when they are acquiring permanent resident status in Canada.

(d) CIC recognizes that many aspects of the services it delivers on behalf of Canada would benefit from a workload funding arrangement, such as per landing status basis. In 2002-03, CIC has initiated a project to develop a workload funding model for the department for all major outputs including immigrant and non-immigrant processing, citizenship services and settlement programs. Once the project is completed, the department will be in a position to pursue discussions with central agencies on a workload funding approach.

In allocating available regional funding CIC takes into account the immigrant landing level, although it is not the only factor used in the current settlement allocation model. There are several variables used in the model in attempt to reflect the costs associated with the overall settlement of newcomers. The variables include: a three-year rolling average of adult immigrant intake, knowledge of an official language, and the intake of government sponsored refugees in a region. The model also tries to take into account different cost factors in larger and smaller regions. The model will undergo a review. CIC will again work closely with its provincial and territorial counterparts during this review.

Question No. 43Routine Proceedings

3:25 p.m.

Canadian Alliance

John Reynolds Canadian Alliance West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast, BC

With regard to vacant property called Moffat Farms, owned by the National Capital Commission and land commonly called Montfort Woods, owned by DRC Phoenix Corporation: ( a ) what Ministers of the Crown, Officials and Departments made representations regarding these lands; ( b ) to whom did they make representations; ( c ) what were the nature of the representations; ( d ) what was the response to the representations; and ( e ) when were they made?

Question No. 43Routine Proceedings

3:25 p.m.

Halifax West Nova Scotia

Liberal

Geoff Regan LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

I am informed that no ministers of the Crown, secretaries of state, officials and departments have made any representations regarding the vacant property called Moffat Farms owned by the National Capital Commission and the land commonly called Montfort Woods owned by DRC Phoenix Corporation.

Question No. 44Routine Proceedings

3:25 p.m.

Canadian Alliance

Ted White Canadian Alliance North Vancouver, BC

With respect to Health Canada's colony of breeding and research monkeys held at Tunney's Pasture and elsewhere ( a ) what is the total number of monkeys in captivity at this time; ( b ) how many are still housed in cages; ( c ) what are the sizes of those cages and how many animals are kept in each size of cage; ( d ) what other type and size of housing is being utilized; ( e ) what foods are provided to the monkeys, and; ( f ) why are Members of Parliament refused access to inspect the facilities?